Senior Researcher – AI, Animals

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants anywhere in the world.

📋 Description

• Defining ambiguous yet significant inquiries regarding AI and Animals — selecting the appropriate level of detail, perspective, and methodology for each, ranging from literature reviews to modeling, data analysis, or expert interviews.

• Undertaking independent research on intricate questions, explicitly addressing uncertainty and conflicting viewpoints.

• Collaborating with external stakeholders to comprehend their requirements and tailor deliverables to their specifications.

• Generating decision-relevant outputs from conception to delivery, in the most suitable format (report, model, dashboard), transformed into actionable recommendations for decision-makers.

• Overseeing projects from start to finish — ensuring they remain on schedule, reporting progress, and proactively identifying solutions when obstacles arise.

• The distribution of these responsibilities, along with the level of autonomy you will possess, is contingent upon the position level. At the Senior Researcher level, you will have greater ownership of these responsibilities and assist in co-developing the overall research strategy for the program. Additionally, you will cultivate and maintain more external relationships with funders, advocates, and field experts.

⛳️ Requirements

• A deep commitment to RP's mission for animals — prioritizing impact at the core of project decisions over mere interest.

• Strong applied-research judgement. You can transform a vague, significant question into a well-defined scope, select appropriate methodologies, and arrive at a defensible conclusion under time constraints.

• Robust analytical and quantitative reasoning skills. Willingness and capability to utilize, construct, and interpret models and quantitative concepts. (In-depth statistical or programming expertise is *not* necessary — refer to "nice to have.")

• Clear written communication. You articulate a logical sequence of reasoning and convey complex concepts to decision-makers, not just peers, organizing your writing for the intended audience.

• Transparency in reasoning. You provide nuanced, decision-relevant answers amid uncertainty — documenting essential steps, articulating uncertainties, and substantiating major claims — rather than awaiting certainty.

• A strong commitment to truth-seeking, intellectual openness to diverse perspectives, and adherence to research ethics.

• Resourcefulness and problem-solving abilities. You discover viable pathways to navigate open-ended problems.

• Self- and project-management skills in a remote, distributed, asynchronous team — setting and achieving realistic goals while maintaining organized work.

• Collaboration and stakeholder engagement. You work effectively towards common goals and interact professionally with colleagues and external partners.

• Increased autonomy and ownership — you initiate, plan, and execute projects with minimal oversight, refining your approach to prevent recurring issues.

• Strategic and critical thinking at the program level — anticipating risks and opportunities and prioritizing effectively among various projects.

• Proactive outreach — independently establishing and nurturing external relationships and representing RP credibly in professional contexts.

• Providing review and feedback — delivering honest, constructive, and timely feedback on others' work concerning clarity, rigor, and impact.

• Proficient with strategic decision-making tools (e.g., stakeholder mapping, scenario analysis).

• Familiarity with AI/ML concepts or model evaluation.

• An adept, AI-native working style — effectively utilizing current AI tools in your research workflow.

• Domain expertise in a relevant priority area (e.g., AI strategy, safety, or governance; farmed animal welfare; alternative proteins; or wild animal welfare).

• Experience in the AI safety or animal advocacy sectors, whether through work or volunteering.

• Understanding of the concepts and methodologies used in high-impact, evidence-based philanthropy.

• Proficiency in R or Python.

🏝️ Benefits

• Opportunity to make a significant contribution to a rapidly growing, high-impact organization — our research is utilized by key decision-makers influencing the allocation of hundreds of millions of charitable dollars.

• Remote-first environment, featuring flexible work hours and scheduling.

• Comprehensive global benefits program, incorporating statutory benefits as mandated by local law, alongside supplemental benefits tailored to each country (varies by location).

• Generous paid time off (PTO) and unpaid leave, which includes:

• Unlimited vacation with a minimum number of required statutory days off.

• "Mandated" 3 weeks total mid- and end-of-year organization-wide breaks.

• Unlimited (within reason) personal and sick paid and unpaid leave.

• Parental leave — at least 4 - 9 months of a combination of paid and unpaid leave, accessible prior to and/or during the first two years following a child's birth or adoption.

• Other forms of paid and unpaid leave (e.g., bereavement).

• Technology stipend of $2,000 USD equivalent every three years for work and office equipment.

• AI tools budget of $40 USD equivalent each month.

• Professional development budget, subject to leadership approval, that renews annually.

• Learning opportunities, comprising workshops/training sessions and 10% of work time allocated for professional and personal development.

• Paid work trips, including an annual all-staff Mega Team Retreat and relevant conferences.

• Virtual co-working spaces, including a private Rethink Priorities Focusmate group.

• RP Peer Support Program for New Employees.

• Additional benefits at the discretion of RP Leadership.

• A supportive team that values respectful workplace relationships and promotes a healthy work-life balance.

• Opportunities for career growth and professional development engagement.

• Minimal administrative bureaucracy.

• While we don’t provide snacks, we can send you a box of Oreos if you desire!